The OECD Family Database: Developing a Cross-National Tool for Assessing Family Policies and Outcomes

Abstract

The OECD Family database has been developed to collate in one central location information and indicators relating to family outcomes, family policies and children in order to address the growing demand for cross-national information on the situation of families and children. The information is taken from different OECD databases, specifically developed questionnaires and non-OECD sources. The OECD Family database now includes 52 indicators across four broad headings: the structure of families, families and children, the labour market position of families, public policies for families and children, and child outcomes. This paper presents the Family database and discusses data and methodological issues as illustrated by selected example indicators.